Soon after the discovery of carbon nanotubes, it was realized that the theoretically predicted mechanical properties of these interesting structures–including high strength, high stiffness, low density and structural perfection–could make them ideal for a wealth of technological applications. The experimental verification, and in some cases refutation, of these predictions, along with a number of computer simulation methods applied to their modeling, has led over the past decade to an improved but by no means complete understanding of the mechanics of carbon nanotubes. We review the theoretical predictions and discuss the experimental techniques that are most often used for the challenging tasks of visualizing and manipulating these tiny structures. We also outline the computational approaches that have been taken, including ab initio quantum mechanical simulations, classical molecular dynamics, and continuum models. The development of multiscale and multiphysics models and simulation tools naturally arises as a result of the link between basic scientific research and engineering application; while this issue is still under intensive study, we present here some of the approaches to this topic. Our concentration throughout is on the exploration of mechanical properties such as Young’s modulus, bending stiffness, buckling criteria, and tensile and compressive strengths. Finally, we discuss several examples of exciting applications that take advantage of these properties, including nanoropes, filled nanotubes, nanoelectromechanical systems, nanosensors, and nanotube-reinforced polymers. This review article cites 349 references. @DOI: 10.1115/1.1490129#

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Mechanics of carbon nanotubes

Since the discovery of carbon nanotubes at the beginning of the last decade, extensive research related to the nanotubes in the fields of chemistry, physics, materials science and engineering, and electrical and electronic engineering has been found increasingly. The nanotubes, having an extreme small physical size (diameter ≈1 nm) and many unique mechanical and electrical properties depending on its hexagonal lattice arrangement and chiral vector have been appreciated as ideal fibres for nanocomposite structures. It has been reported that the nanotubes own a remarkable mechanical properties with theoretical Young's modulus and tensile strength as high as 1 TPa and 200 GPa, respectively. Since the nanotubes are highly chemical insert and able to sustain a high strain (10–30%) without breakage, it could be foreseen that nanotube-related structures could be designed for nanoinstrument to create ultra-small electronic circuits and used as strong, light and high toughness fibres for nanocomposite structures. In this paper, recent researches and applications on carbon nanotubes and nanotube composites are reviewed. The interfacial bonding properties, mechanical performance and reliability of nanotube/polymer composites will be discussed.

The revolutionary creation of new advanced materials - Carbon nanotube composites

Carbon Nanotube Thin Films: Fabrication, Properties, and Applications

This paper presents an overview of the mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes, starting from the linear elastic parameters, nonlinear elastic instabilities and buckling, and the inelastic relaxation, yield strength and fracture mechanisms. A summary of experimental findings is followed by more detailed discussion of theoretical and computational models for the entire range of the deformation amplitudes. Non-covalent forces (supra-molecular interactions) between the nanotubes and with the substrates are also discussed, due to their significance in potential applications.

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Mechanical Properties of Carbon Nanotubes

This paper focuses on approaches to continuing CMOS scaling by introducing new device structures and new materials. Starting from an analysis of the sources of improvements in device performance, we present technology options for achieving these performance enhancements. These options include high-dielectric-constant (high-k) gate dielectric, metal gate electrode, double-gate FET, and strained-silicon FET. Nanotechnology is examined in the context of continuing the progress in electronic systems enabled by silicon microelectronics technology. The carbon nanotube field-effect transistor is examined as an example of the evaluation process required to identify suitable nanotechnologies for such purposes.

Beyond the conventional transistor

http://www.cs.duke.edu/courses/cps296.6/spring10/papers/AHMSSW99.pdf

T. Schmidt

Papers

Carbon nanotubes: nanomechanics, manipulation, and electronic devices

Manipulation of carbon nanotubes and properties of nanotube field-effect transistors and rings